American River Parkway

Located 8 minutes from the Marriott Rancho Cordova the American River Parkway is a 23-mile parkway that runs along the American River throughout Sacramento County, California and consists of many smaller parks and boat launching points.

Major Parks within the American River Parkway:

River Bend Park
River Bend Park is a 444-acre county regional park located near where the river bends in Rancho Cordova. It is accessible by taking the Bradshaw Road exit off of Highway 50. It was formerly known as Goethe Park but due to controversy surrounding C.M. Goethe, the park was renamed in 2008.[7] It is one of Sacramento County’s oldest regional parks and was one of the three original areas along the parkway that the county acquired between 1961 and 1964. Located on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, it is just across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from William B. Pond Recreation Area.

Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 302-acre park located just outside Downtown Sacramento, where the American River meets the Sacramento River, accessible by taking the Garden Highway exit off Interstate. Discovery Park is the trailhead for the 32-mile long Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail which continues all the way to Folsom through the historic Leidesdorff Ranch. Other activities include softball fields, an archery range, a picnic area and boat ramps

Ancil Hoffman Park
Ancil Hoffman Park is a major 396-acre park located in Carmichael, California, accessible by taking the Watt Avenue exit off Highway 50. Named after a Sacramento County Supervisor and manager to the famous boxer Max Baer, the park has many ancient oaks and is bordered on two sides by the American River. Major attractions include reconstructed Maidu Native American homes, the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Many varieties of animals can be seen in Ancil Hoffman Park including wild turkey, deer, and hawks.

William B. Pond Recreation Area]
William B. Pond Recreation Area is a county regional park located at the end of Arden Way in Carmichael. It is located along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail and is just across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from River Bend Park. The area is home to a man-made fishing pond stocked with trout and catfish and is also home to bass, bluegill and tule perch. According to the county, there are many habitats to explore, from riverside forests and fields to warm ponds and swift, chilly rapids.

Howell Avenue River Access
Howe Avenue Access is located down river from California State University, Sacramento and near Highway 50. Despite its closeness to the road, the river’s clay banks and riverside vegetation give it a wild feel. Howe Avenue is from U.S. Highway 50. Simply take the Howe Ave. off-ramp and head north. Turn right immediately onto La Riviera Drive. Follow the La Riviera off-ramp straight to the park’s entrance.

Sunrise Recreations Areas

These parks provide recreation and education for thousands of visitors each year. The park is divided into two areas, Upper Sunrise and Lower Sunrise. Upper Sunrise has a boat launch, while Lower Sunrise provides fishing, equestrian trails, picnicking and nature walks. Both Upper and Lower Sunrise provide special interests and visitors with ample sights to see. From U.S. Highway 50, exit at the Sunrise Blvd. off-ramp. Head north. Just before the American River overpass, turn right into the park entrance, which is marked by a sign. Past the entry kiosk, turn left to get to Lower Sunrise and right to enter Upper Sunrise. Upper Sunrise may also be accessed from Gold Country Blvd just west of Hazel Avenue (north of Highway 50). The fish hatchery parking lot is accessible only from the Hazel Avenue access to Upper Sunrise

American River Parkway

Located 8 minutes from the Marriott Rancho Cordova the American River Parkway is a 23-mile parkway that runs along the American River throughout Sacramento County, California and consists of many smaller parks and boat launching points.

Major Parks within the American River Parkway:

River Bend Park
River Bend Park is a 444-acre county regional park located near where the river bends in Rancho Cordova. It is accessible by taking the Bradshaw Road exit off of Highway 50. It was formerly known as Goethe Park but due to controversy surrounding C.M. Goethe, the park was renamed in 2008.[7] It is one of Sacramento County’s oldest regional parks and was one of the three original areas along the parkway that the county acquired between 1961 and 1964. Located on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, it is just across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from William B. Pond Recreation Area.

Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 302-acre park located just outside Downtown Sacramento, where the American River meets the Sacramento River, accessible by taking the Garden Highway exit off Interstate. Discovery Park is the trailhead for the 32-mile long Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail which continues all the way to Folsom through the historic Leidesdorff Ranch. Other activities include softball fields, an archery range, a picnic area and boat ramps

Ancil Hoffman Park
Ancil Hoffman Park is a major 396-acre park located in Carmichael, California, accessible by taking the Watt Avenue exit off Highway 50. Named after a Sacramento County Supervisor and manager to the famous boxer Max Baer, the park has many ancient oaks and is bordered on two sides by the American River. Major attractions include reconstructed Maidu Native American homes, the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Many varieties of animals can be seen in Ancil Hoffman Park including wild turkey, deer, and hawks.

William B. Pond Recreation Area]
William B. Pond Recreation Area is a county regional park located at the end of Arden Way in Carmichael. It is located along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail and is just across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from River Bend Park. The area is home to a man-made fishing pond stocked with trout and catfish and is also home to bass, bluegill and tule perch. According to the county, there are many habitats to explore, from riverside forests and fields to warm ponds and swift, chilly rapids.

Howell Avenue River Access
Howe Avenue Access is located down river from California State University, Sacramento and near Highway 50. Despite its closeness to the road, the river’s clay banks and riverside vegetation give it a wild feel. Howe Avenue is from U.S. Highway 50. Simply take the Howe Ave. off-ramp and head north. Turn right immediately onto La Riviera Drive. Follow the La Riviera off-ramp straight to the park’s entrance.

Sunrise Recreations Areas

These parks provide recreation and education for thousands of visitors each year. The park is divided into two areas, Upper Sunrise and Lower Sunrise. Upper Sunrise has a boat launch, while Lower Sunrise provides fishing, equestrian trails, picnicking and nature walks. Both Upper and Lower Sunrise provide special interests and visitors with ample sights to see. From U.S. Highway 50, exit at the Sunrise Blvd. off-ramp. Head north. Just before the American River overpass, turn right into the park entrance, which is marked by a sign. Past the entry kiosk, turn left to get to Lower Sunrise and right to enter Upper Sunrise. Upper Sunrise may also be accessed from Gold Country Blvd just west of Hazel Avenue (north of Highway 50). The fish hatchery parking lot is accessible only from the Hazel Avenue access to Upper Sunrise